London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Wood Green 1948
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wood Green]
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16
HOUSING.
In Wood Green as in most other districts the housing conditions
under which so many of the people live constitute the most serious
of our public health problems. The general condition of a large
proportion of occupied houses has deteriorated during the war years,
partly as a result of war damage, and partly through the difficulty
of carrying out necessary repairs, in spite of the efforts of the Council's
Sanitary Inspectors. The high marriage rate since the war, and the
very high birth rate in 1946 and 1947 have also caused a great
increase in overcrowding, for which it is impossible at the moment
to find an adequate solution. In a district which is practically completely
built up, it is not easy to suggest clearance schemes, or largescale
demolition of unsatisfactory houses, owing to the difficulty of
rehousing the displaced families while demolition and rebuilding
is being carried out. This is a problem, however, which will have
to be faced in the near future.
I am indebted to the Borough Surveyor for the following figures showing what has been done in housing during 1948.
| Tunnell Gardens | 12 "Orlit" houses, completing this estate of 32 houses. |
| Park Grove | 26 "Orlit" houses, completing this estate of 26 houses. |
| Park Court | 18 flats. |
Council Houses in hand at end of year-.—
Durnsford Road 12 "Orlit" houses.
Palmerston Road 24 flats.
Bounds Green Road 40 flats.
Pellatt Grove 12 flats.
Private Enterprise.
39 war-destroyed houses and flats were rebuilt during the year
by private enterprise, and a further 21 houses and flats were under
construction, giving 51 housing units completed, and 23 housing
units in progress. In addition a block of 9 new flats was erected.